AFLW to launch ambitious 14-team expansion

The AFL Women's competition will expand to 14 teams for the 2020 season, with North Melbourne and Geelong to lead the charge in 2019. Richmond, West Coast, St Kilda and Gold Coast will join the competition in 2020 under an ambitious plan announced by AFL chief Gillon McLachlan on Wednesday.

Photo by James Elsby/AFL Media/Getty Images

Hawthorn and Essendon had their applications knocked back by the AFL Commission but could be added as early as 2021.

Port Adelaide and Sydney are yet to apply for a licence but it's expected they will eventually follow the lead of rival clubs.

The Roos are expected to host some games in Tasmania and will draw upon the talent pool from the island state.

Several factors helped Geelong and North Melbourne over the line for 2019, including the fact that both will play in the women's VFL next year.

"I think the real clincher was to have regional presence that we don't currently have," McLachlan told reporters.

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